Taiwan relocation guide 2026

01The country in 30 seconds

Taiwan is Taipei with its metro and night markets, mountains of almost 4,000 meters, a tropical south, and the ocean about an hour from any big city. The country is very safe, everything works, the internet is fast, and the food is among the best in Asia.

For Russians, the main problem is getting in. There is no visa-free entry: the trial visa-free program for Russians ended on July 31, 2022, and has not come back. You get a visa at Taiwan's office in Moscow.

Taiwan has had a digital nomad visa since January 2025, but only citizens of countries that are visa-exempt for Taiwan can get it. With only a Russian passport, you can't. The realistic long-term route is the Employment Gold Card: an open work permit plus residence for 1–3 years. For a remote worker, you need a salary of at least NT$160,000 per month (about $4,850) or 8+ years of experience in the digital field.

• A visa is required: US$50 single entry, US$100 multiple entry, stay of 14–90 days
• A 60- or 90-day visa without a "no extension" note can be extended in Taiwan — up to ~180 days in total
• The Gold Card lets you work legally for anyone, gives residence, and leads to permanent residence after 3 years
• Mir cards and Russian Visa/Mastercard cards don't work
• Budget: about $1,100–2,000 per month for one person

Facts checked as of November 2026. Rules change, so check the official websites linked at the bottom of the page before you go.

02Who it's for

Taiwan is a good fit if you:

• earn at least ~$4,850 per month and can prove it with documents, or have 8+ years of experience in IT or the digital field
• want to live in a safe, clean country where things work the first time
• love mountains, hiking, islands, hot springs and street food
• are fine with a lot of Chinese in daily life, where not everyone speaks English

It's not a good fit if you:

• want to live for years on short visas without income documents — a visa for every entry makes this hard
• want a cheap beach lifestyle — Thailand or Vietnam are much cheaper
• are very worried about earthquakes, typhoons and news about tension with China

What to explore on the island:

• Taipei: Taipei 101, night markets, the Beitou hot springs and Yangmingshan National Park right inside the city
• Jiufen and the north coast — about an hour from Taipei
• Sun Moon Lake and the Alishan mountains — the center of the island, tea and sunrises above the clouds
• Taroko Gorge and the east coast (Hualien, Taitung) — some trails were closed after the 2024 earthquake, check the status before you go
• Yushan (3,952 m) — the highest point of the island, you need a permit in advance
• Tainan — the old capital, temples and, as many Taiwanese say, the best food
• The south and the islands: Kenting, Penghu, Green Island and Orchid Island — snorkeling and diving

Taipei is also a handy base for trips around Asia: Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Tokyo or Okinawa are 1.5–3 hours away. Where Russians can go visa-free is in the residence section.

03Entry & visa

There is no visa-free entry for Russians. The trial visa-free program ended on July 31, 2022. The website of Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs says an extension is "under evaluation", but nothing has changed in four years.

There is no eVisa for Russians either. In June 2026 it opened to citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Armenia who hold a Schengen or US visa or residence permit — Russia was not on that list.

That leaves the regular visitor visa. In Russia, it is issued by the consular section of the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission (TMCCC), Taiwan's de facto mission. Address: 25 Yermolayevsky Pereulok, Moscow. Documents are accepted 10:00–13:00 and returned 14:00–17:00. Consular email: consulrus@mofa.gov.tw.

What you need for a tourist visa (per the Bureau of Consular Affairs):

• an application form — fill it in online at visawebapp.boca.gov.tw, print and sign it
• 2 color photos, 45×35 mm, white background, taken in the last 6 months
• a passport valid for at least 6 more months
• a bank statement — no minimum amount is given
• a travel plan and a return ticket

The fee is US$50 for a single-entry visa and US$100 for a multiple-entry visa. It is not refunded if you are refused. You may be asked to an interview, and they can refuse without giving a reason.

The visa allows a stay of 14, 30, 60 or 90 days, decided by the mission. If you get 60 or 90 days and the visa has no "no extension" note, you can extend at the National Immigration Agency (NIA): up to 120 days for a 60-day visa or up to 90 days for a 90-day visa. That's about 180 days in total.

Before you fly, fill in the online Taiwan Arrival Card at twac.immigration.gov.tw — within 7 days before arrival.

Classic border runs don't work well here: after you leave, you need a new visa to come back. You can also apply at Taiwan's offices in other countries, but they may ask for proof that you live in that country — check in advance.

04Residency & legalization

In short, there are three realistic routes for a Russian remote worker.

1. Employment Gold Card — the main and easiest one if you qualify by income or experience
2. Studying Chinese at a university language center — gives a student residence permit
3. A visitor visa with extensions — up to ~180 days, but it's not residence

Why not the nomad visa. Since January 2025, Taiwan has a Digital Nomad Visitor Visa. Requirements: income of at least $40,000 a year (if you are 30+) or $20,000 (age 20–29) in one of the last two years, or a digital nomad visa from another country. Plus an average bank balance of at least $10,000 every month for the last 6 months and proof of remote work. But only citizens of countries that are visa-exempt for Taiwan can apply. Russia is not on that list, so you can't apply with a Russian passport. If you have a second passport from a visa-exempt country, apply with that one.

The Gold Card — what it is. One card that combines an open work permit, a residence permit (ARC) and a re-entry visa. You can work for anyone. The official FAQ says directly that the card suits remote workers, and you can also be self-employed or start a company in Taiwan. You choose a validity of 1, 2 or 3 years.

You qualify in one of 12 fields, and you can apply in only one. For a remote worker, the most realistic options are:

• Digital field: a most recent monthly salary of at least NT$160,000 in a digital-economy role (abroad or in Taiwan)
• Digital field: 8+ years of experience in digital industries — with a recommendation letter from a Taiwan mission or agency, or a CV plus proof (a senior position, awards, work records)
• Economy field: the same bar — a salary of at least NT$160,000 per month

NT$160,000 is about $4,850, or roughly 400,000 rubles per month at the November 2026 exchange rate.

How to prove it: a tax document issued in the last 3 years that shows your average salary, an employment certificate with your position and salary or payslips, or an employment contract. Documents that are not in English or Chinese must be translated.

Fee: NT$3,700 / 4,700 / 5,700 for 1 / 2 / 3 years (about $110–175). It is not refunded if you are refused.

Where to apply: online on the platform for foreign professionals — from Russia or from inside Taiwan. If you apply from abroad, you must show your passport at a Taiwan mission (for Russians, the TMCCC in Moscow). Officially, processing can take more than 60 business days. Once approved, you get an entry permit and pick up the card at the NIA in Taiwan within 30 days of arrival.

Renewal: if you still meet the criteria, apply online 4 months before the card expires, and no later than 1 month before.

Permanent residence (APRC): after 3 years with a Gold Card, if you lived in Taiwan for an average of 183+ days per year and your average income in the last year was more than twice the minimum wage (or you have assets in Taiwan worth more than NT$5 million).

Studying Chinese. You need a visitor visa for studying Chinese (code FR), issued in advance by a mission — you can't switch a tourist visa to it inside Taiwan. The school must be a language center affiliated with a university accredited by Taiwan's Ministry of Education, with at least 15 hours of classes per week. After 4 months of study, if you continue for 3+ more months, you can get a residence permit (ARC) at the NIA.

There is also an Entrepreneur visa for startup founders — the rules are on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. For a regular freelancer, it's a hard route.

What it gives you for travel. A Taiwan residence permit (ARC or Gold Card) gives you the main thing — free exit and re-entry to Taiwan without new visas. It adds almost nothing to visa-free travel elsewhere for a Russian, so check the rules for the Russian passport.

Nearby places Russians can visit visa-free (check before you go — terms change):

• Hong Kong — up to 14 days, Macau — up to 30 days
• the Philippines — up to 30 days, Malaysia — up to 30 days, Vietnam — up to 45 days
• Thailand — visa-free, the length of stay was being reviewed in 2025–2026, check the current one
• South Korea — visa-free up to 60 days under an agreement; check whether you need a K-ETA
• Mainland China — a 30-day visa-free trial for Russians started in September 2025; check whether it has been extended

Japan requires a visa for Russians.

05Work & taxes

The main rule: in Taiwan, income is tied to where you physically work, not to who pays you. Pay for work done in Taiwan is Taiwan income, even if the money comes from a foreign company. The Gold Card tax FAQ says this directly.

After that, it depends on how many days you spend in Taiwan in a calendar year:

• Up to 90 days: salary from a foreign employer for work in Taiwan is not on the list of taxable income — in practice, no tax
• 91–182 days: this salary is taxed at 18%, and you file the return yourself
• 183+ days: you are a tax resident, with progressive rates of 5–40%

The 2026 rates: 5% up to NT$610,000 a year, 12% up to NT$1.38 million, 20% up to NT$2.77 million, 30% up to NT$5.19 million, 40% above that.

For residents, foreign income not linked to work in Taiwan (for example, interest or dividends) is only hit by the "Income Basic Tax". It is counted if it reaches NT$1 million or more in a year, and the 20% tax applies only to basic income above NT$7.5 million. For most people, that means zero.

Gold Card holders get a tax break: for 5 years, half of the salary above NT$3 million a year is tax-free — if you spend 183+ days in Taiwan and work in your field. Also, if you meet the conditions, foreign income is not added to basic income.

Russia and Taiwan have no double tax agreement. If you work for a Russian company, Russian income tax is withheld even when you work from abroad — that's a separate question, sort it out before you move.

06Banks, cards & money

Mir cards don't work in Taiwan. Russian Visa and Mastercard cards don't work abroad either.

What actually works:

• Visa/Mastercard cards from banks in third countries (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, the UAE and so on) — in chain stores, restaurants, and via Apple Pay or Google Pay
• cash US dollars — you can exchange them at banks and at Taoyuan Airport with your passport
• an EasyCard or iPASS transport card — you can pay with it not only in the metro but also at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and many cafes

Night markets and small food places often take cash only. Keep Taiwan dollars on you.

A local bank account: banks usually open accounts only for people with a residence permit (ARC). On a visitor visa, it's almost impossible. With a Gold Card it's realistic, but with a Russian passport you may get extra questions about where your money comes from. We found no official bans for Russians, but there are no guarantees either.

07Renting a place

Housing is the biggest cost, especially in Taipei. According to Numbeo, a one-bedroom apartment in central Taipei costs about $950 per month, and about $450 outside the center. Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung are noticeably cheaper.

The most common option for one person is a studio with its own bathroom (locally called a "taofang"). There are also rooms in shared flats and co-living spaces.

People look for housing on the big local site 591, in Facebook groups and through agents. A long-term lease is usually for one year, and the deposit is usually 2 months. Landlords often want to see an ARC for the contract, and some simply don't rent to foreigners.

For the first weeks, Airbnb or co-living is easier — then look for an apartment calmly on the spot.

08SIM card & internet

There are three big operators: Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone. All of them have counters at Taoyuan Airport — they sell tourist SIM cards with unlimited data for your passport, for a few days up to a month. Sometimes they ask for a second ID, so bring your driver's license.

A monthly plan with calls and 10+ GB costs about $17 (Numbeo). Coverage is good even in the mountains and on the islands.

Home internet is mostly fiber, about $25–30 per month. Video calls work without problems.

Cities have free government Wi-Fi called iTaiwan, and cafes and coworking spaces almost always have Wi-Fi.

09Healthcare & insurance

Healthcare in Taiwan is good and cheap by developed-country standards. There are many clinics, short waits, and big hospitals in Taipei have English-speaking doctors.

The national health insurance (NHI) is only for residence permit holders. If you work for a Taiwanese employer, you join right away. If not (for example, a remote worker with a Gold Card), you join after 6 months of continuous residence; one trip abroad of up to 30 days is allowed. The premiums are small and the coverage is wide.

Until then, you need private international insurance — about $50–150 per month, depending on age and coverage.

10Transport

There are no direct flights from Russia to Taiwan. People usually fly via Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong or cities in mainland China. The main airport is Taoyuan near Taipei, with an airport metro line into the city.

Transport inside the country is excellent:

• metro in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung; the TPASS monthly pass in Taipei costs about $36
• the HSR high-speed train from Taipei to Kaohsiung takes about 1.5–2 hours
• regular TRA trains and buses go to any part of the island
• YouBike city bikes are on almost every corner
• taxis and Uber are cheap by developed-country standards

Scooters are the most popular transport for locals, but to rent one you need a license that Taiwan recognizes. Check in advance whether Russian national or international licenses are accepted — don't ride without that.

11Safety & important laws

Taiwan is one of the safest countries in the world. There is almost no street crime — you can walk at night and leave your things on a cafe table.

The real risks are different:

• earthquakes — frequent, most are weak; the last strong one hit near Hualien in April 2024. Alerts come to your phone
• typhoons — mostly from July to October; on those days offices and schools close, just stay home
• traffic — there are a lot of scooters, be careful at crossings
• drugs — the laws are harsh, trafficking hard drugs can carry the death penalty

Tension with China is background you should know about: military drills around the island happen regularly. So far this doesn't affect daily life, but follow the news.

Emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire.

12How much money you need per month

totalTotal: about $1,100–2,000 per month for one person in Taipei, without visas and flights; Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung are cheaper

13Step-by-step moving plan

1. Check if you qualify for the Gold Card: a salary of at least NT$160,000 per month (~$4,850) or 8+ years of experience in the digital field
2. If you do, collect a tax certificate and an employer letter, translate them into English, and apply for the Gold Card online while still in Russia
3. If not, apply for a visitor visa at the TMCCC in Moscow; if you want to stay longer, ask for a 60–90 day stay
4. Get a card from a bank in a third country and bring cash US dollars
5. Buy international health insurance before you fly
6. Book flights via Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok or Hong Kong
7. Fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card within 7 days before arrival
8. Buy a SIM card and an EasyCard at the airport
9. Stay in short-term housing for the first 2–4 weeks, then look for an apartment on the spot
10. If you spend more than 90 days a year in Taiwan, sort out your taxes

14Useful links

• Bureau of Consular Affairs — visa-exempt entry (country list)
• Taiwan online visa application form
• Taiwan Arrival Card — online arrival form
• TMCCC — Taiwan's office in Moscow
• Gold Card — official website
• Gold Card — criteria for the digital field
• National Immigration Agency of Taiwan (NIA)
• National Taxation Bureau of Taipei — tax for foreigners
• Numbeo — cost of living in Taipei
• Taiwan's official tourism website

15Other countries

Every guide follows the same structure, so they're easy to compare. Comparison table: all countries.

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